Mail-box.



M. BROWN.

MAIL BOX. APPLICATION nun AUG. a; 1907.

Patented Jam-5. 1909.

Wilma/mm I Conway UNITED STATES MARSHALL BROWN, OF BUNKER HILL, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-B OX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan; 5, 1909.

Application filed August 8, 1907. Serial No. 387,714.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARSHALL Brown, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bunker Hill, in the county of Macoupin and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a receptacle for receiving mail, such as letters, periodicals, packages and the like in rural districts, being of special advantage to facilitate the collection and the delivery of mail in localities having rural free delivery.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a receptacle which will insure safety of the mail either for collection or delivery and which will apprise both the occupant of the residence or the carrier that the receptacle or box contains matter either to be collected or deposited by the carrier for delivery.

The receptacle comprises a box, a tray slidable within the box, a door for closing the box and having connection with the tray to slide the same either within or without the inclosure to facilitate placing of the mail in the tray or removal of matter therefrom, means for securing the cover when closed, and a signal, the latter being actuated by the cover to insure its displacement each time the cover is opened, so that the signal may be set only when the box contains matter either to be collected or deposited for the resident.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to difierent forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mail box embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the cover thrown open and the tray partly withdrawn. Fig. 3 is a front view of the box, the tray being in section.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters. 4

The box is preferably constructed of sheet metal and may be of any size and form. The box is preferably closed at its bottom, rear, top and sides and is open at the front, the latter being closed by means of a cover 1, which is arranged to swing downward. The bottom of the box is straight, whereas its top is arched. The front portion of the bottom of the box is cut away to provide clearance for the cover or door 1 and the lower corners are bent inward to form stops 2 to limit the movement of the cover or door 1 when swung downward. A rod 3 passed through openings in the lower corner portions of the sides of the box body pivotally supports the cover or door 1. A strap iron 4 is secured to the top of the box and projects outward therefrom, the projecting end having an opening to register with a corresponding opening in the free end of a strap iron 5 secured to the cover or door 1, a pad lock 6 or other device serving to secure the cover or door when closed, by having its bow passed through registering openings in the projecting ends of the strap irons 4L and 5. The lower end of the strap iron 5 is formed into a roll 7 and receives the lower end of a rod 8 which is provided at its upper end with a signal 9. The rod 8 is mounted in the roll 7 to turn freely therein and its upper portion enters an inclined slot 10 formed in the front edge of the upper portion of the box, said inclined slot serving to retain the signal in upright position until the rod 8 which has a spring action is sprung out of the said inclined slot by the application of pressure to the cover or door 1 when opening the same.

A tray 11 is slidable within the box and is provided near its inner or rear end with outer extensions 12 which are adapted to run upon guides 13 provided along the inner sides of the vertical walls of the box. Arms 14 project from the inner face of the cover or door 1 and have inner extensions 15 which engage with the sides of the tray near their front ends and pivotally support the same in conjunction with the extensions 12. The arms 14 constitute bent ends of a strap which is secured to the cover or door 1, the body of the strap and its bent ends forming a frame of substantially Ll form.

The box 16 is adapted to be located in any convenient position accessible alike to the carrier and the party owning the same. As indicated in Fig. 1, the box is mounted upon a post 17 and is arranged within convenient distance of the road to enable the carrier both to make collections and to deposit letters and other matter therein for the owner. It is to be understood that the carrier is provided with a key which will open the look so that access may be readily had to the interior of the box. WVhen the box contains matter either to be collected or to be delivered, the signal stands upright, as indicated in Fig. 1, the rod 8 being inserted in the inclined slot 10, which under normal conditions is sufiicient to retain the signal in position so as to direct attention. Upon opening the cover or door 1, the rod 8 is dislodged from the inclined slot 10 and the signal falls into pendent position, as indi cated in Fig. 2. As the cover or door 1 is swung outward and downward, the tray 11 is moved outward and slightly tilted, the door being limited in its downward movement by the stops 2. Upon closing the cover or door 1, the tray is elevated and then moved within the box, the latter being made secure by fastening the cover in the manner stated. If matter is deposited in the box either for collection by the carrier or to be delivered to the owner, the signal is elevated and retained in position by inserting the rod 8 in the slot 10 in the manner stated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a box having an inclined notch therein, a closure for the box, and a signal pivotally connected to the closure and formed with a spring stem adapted to have an interlocking connection with the inclined notch in the box.

2. I11 a device of the character described, the combination of a box provided with a notch, a swinging closure for the box, cooperating strap members projecting from the box and closure respectively to provide a means for locking the box, and a signal I loosely connected to one of the strap members and adapted to have an interlocking engagement with the notch in the box.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARSHALL BROWN. 1,. 8.]

l/Vitnesses:

GEO. F W. HARRIS, Jr, ARTHUR Gr. SPERR. 

